I grew up in a pastor’s home and my parents were very loving people. Because of them, I always knew I wanted to be in the people business, helping others navigate life transitions. They used to say to me, “You can’t change the world, but you can change someone’s world.” I’ve lived my life believing in those words.

I’ve lived most of my life in Montana and come from generations of farmers. My grandparents and relatives owned acres of farmland, so I spent a lot of time in nature. I have strong memories attached to the land and that heritage.

I grew up with a younger sister and she was the only sibling in my life until the age of eighteen, when our parents laid bare a secret they’d been harboring all our lives. They told us we had an older biological sister!  We went crazy at the news and were so excited to meet her. My parents explained they wanted to wait until we were old enough to be able to process what happened. You see, my parents were in a difficult place in their lives at that time – my dad was in the military and it just wasn’t the right time to have a child. So they adopted her out to another family.

Once we located her, my parents hired a social worker to help open the door of communication. At first, we sent letters and she wrote back but wasn’t ready to meet us. I remember she sent us a card with a photo of her inside. She was wearing jeans, a white tee shirt and a red windbreaker – which was the exact same outfit I wore!

It wasn’t until she got married and then pregnant that she was ready to meet. I’ll never forget that first meeting – it was like looking in a mirror. She had the same mannerisms and features as my sister and me. Sometimes we’d just stop talking and start crying and then laughing because we were so much alike. We could just see the genetics at play. We all have an amazing family relationship now, and I’m forever grateful.

That experience taught me how important family is and that we all have a built-in desire to be connected in some way, whether it’s through a family or a group of people. There’s definitely that need in all of us, to be accepted and feel supported moving forward in our lives.

It spurred my husband and I to do something we never thought we’d do – adopt two children of our own. The funny thing is, we already had two biological kids. We adopted two more because their mom was on drugs, and how can you say no to two beautiful girls who were hurting so badly? They just made their way into our hearts immediately.  We tried to help the mom get better first, but it didn’t happen. So through the courts, the next step was to give the girls a better life. Of course, there were a lot of tears and pain at first, but it was the best decision for everyone under the circumstances.

I grew up as a pastor’s daughter, and my parents used to say to me, “You can’t change the world, but you can change someone’s world.” I’ve lived my life believing in those words.

I met my husband through the church, and we moved to California in 2003 to start a non-profit which we ran for thirteen years. I always knew I wanted to be in the people business, which is why we did it. And now, I’m still in the people business, helping people with one of the most important decisions of their lives – buying a home.

I once helped a homeless couple buy a house. I was doing an open house and they walked in with their dad. I soon learned they had been living in a camper trailer in somebody’s backyard, then were staying in somebody’s bedroom for a while but that didn’t last either. They were at a point where they literally had no place to go.

So I became their agent. Within a week, I had them in escrow on a house and they became homeowners 21 days later, with their dad’s financial help. What I learned is that everyone deserves the same respect and dignity in their lives, and that you treat everyone the same because you never know their story.

That former homeless couple ended up giving me more referrals than any other client I’ve had. I’ve sold their kids homes, and their kids have referred me to other clients.

To me, being a realtor is about guiding my clients in every aspect of their life transition. It’s my privilege to help you FIND HOME.

Sincerely,

Cindy Litzinger
REALTOR-ASSOCIATE®